Blackwell named McKeesport boys basketball coach

By DEAN DELLAMALVA JR
MVI Sports

For the third time in eight seasons, the McKeesport boys basketball team has a new head coach.

Tiger alumnus Troy Blackwell will take over the program he once played for. Blackwell is a 2001 McKeesport graduate, playing football and basketball during his time as a Tiger.

Most recently, Blackwell was an assistant coach under McKeesport girls basketball coach Eric Smith.

“I’m humbled and blessed for the opportunity. I never want to make this about me, it’s about the kids, the program and the city,” Blackwell said. “Just being able to see how many kids and families I can help – not just on the court but off it as well – and building young men.”

Blackwell was a standout in high school, being named to the Daily News Fantastic 15. He went on to play football in college at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After a stint in arena football, Blackwell returned to McKeesport in 2006.

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Thursday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.